Photocatalyst filter and air conditioner including the same

ABSTRACT

A photocatalyst filter is provided. The photocatalyst filter includes: a base in which an internal space is formed. The internal space is permeable to fluid, and a plurality of photocatalyst beads are provided in the internal space, wherein a surface of the internal space is reflective.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2017-0112112, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/410052,filed on Oct. 19, 2016, in the USPTO, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Apparatuses consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to aphotocatalyst filter and an air conditioner including the same, and moreparticularly, to a photocatalyst filter having an increased lightefficiency due to the use of light reflecting structures, and an airconditioner including the same.

Description of the Related Art

Recently, in accordance with an increase in a demand for air purifiersfor indoor use for filtering air pollution, fine dust, yellow dust, andthe like, various types of air purifiers have been produced. Forexample, related art air purifiers may use filters including non-wovenfabrics, an electrical dust collection type electrostatic filter, orother type of filter. However, such filters filter dust, but it isdifficult for such filters to remove odors or to sterilize bacteria.Therefore, separate deodorizing filters using activated carbon are usedfor the purpose of deodorization. However, such deodorizing filters ofactivated carbon are not durable, and may not sterilize harmfulmicroorganisms present in the air.

To solve these problems, studies are being done on the use ofphotocatalyst materials that may perform deodorization, sterilization,and the like, and a typical example of such a photocatalyst material istitanium dioxide (TiO₂). Titanium dioxide generates radicals whenirradiated with infrared light, and may thereby sterilize microorganismsand decompose odor-causing particles by the strong oxidizing power ofsuch radicals.

To use the photocatalyst material as described above, separate lightsources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) are typically included inthe air purifier. As a number of light sources is increased, thephotocatalyst reaction is increased, such that the an air purifyingeffect may be increased, but the energy consumed also increases.

Therefore, there is a demand for an air purifier utilizing aphotocatalyst that may improve air purification while reducing energyconsumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may overcome the abovedisadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, thepresent disclosure is not required to overcome the disadvantagesdescribed above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay not overcome any of the problems described above.

Exemplary embodiments may provide a photocatalyst filter utilizing withincreased light reflecting structures for increased light efficiency,and an air conditioner including the same.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a photocatalystfilter includes: a base in which an internal space, permeable to a fluidpasses; and a plurality of photocatalyst beads provided in the internalspace, wherein a surface of the internal space has a light reflectivity.

The internal space may be defined by a plurality of walls in the base,and all of the plurality of walls may have a light reflectivity.

The plurality of walls may be formed of a reflective material.

The reflective material may be a metal or a light-reflective resin.

The plurality of photocatalyst beads may include photocatalyst materialsand adsorbents.

The adsorbent may be at least one of activated carbon and zeolite.

The plurality of photocatalyst beads may have spherical shapes that arehollow.

The plurality of photocatalyst beads may have protrusions formed onsurfaces thereof.

The photocatalyst filter may further include a cover attached to thebase so that the photocatalyst beads are retained within the base,wherein the cover includes a photocatalyst material.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, an airconditioner includes: a photocatalyst filter including a base in whichan internal space, permeable to fluid, is formed and a plurality ofphotocatalyst beads provided in the internal space, a surface of theinternal space having a light reflectivity; a fan unit configured tointroduce air into the photocatalyst filter; a light source portionconfigured to irradiate light onto the photocatalyst filter; and aprocessor configured to control the fan unit and the light sourceportion.

The air conditioner may further include a second photocatalyst filterincluding a plurality of photocatalyst beads, wherein the fan unitincludes: a first fan configured to introduce the air into thephotocatalyst filter; and a second fan configured to introduce the airinto the second photocatalyst filter.

The photocatalyst beads included in the photocatalyst filter and thephotocatalyst beads included in the second photocatalyst filter may bedifferent in at least one of sizes, shapes, and components from eachother.

The air conditioner may further include a sensor configured to sense aharmful material, wherein the processor is configured to individuallycontrol the first fan and the second fan depending on a result sensed bythe sensor.

The air conditioner may further include a second photocatalyst filterconfigured to include a plurality of photocatalyst beads, wherein thelight source portion includes: a first light source configured toirradiate the light onto the photocatalyst filter; and a second lightsource configured to irradiate the light onto the second photocatalystfilter.

The air conditioner may further include a sensor configured to sense aharmful material, wherein the processor is configured to individuallycontrol the first light source and the second light source depending ona result sensed by the sensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above and/or other exemplary aspects and advantages o will be moreapparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are views for describing a photocatalyst filter accordingto diverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views for describing methods of manufacturingphotocatalyst beads according to diverse exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a view for describing light reflection in a photocatalystfilter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a view for describing light reflecting structures in thephotocatalyst filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an air conditioner according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for describing components of the airconditioner according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air conditioneraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are views for describing a light source portion of an airconditioner according to diverse exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 11 to 14 are views for describing a photocatalyst filter of an airconditioner according to diverse exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view illustrating an air conditioneraccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 15B and 15C are views for describing an air flow control in theair conditioner according to diverse exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 16(a), 16(b), 16(c), and 16(d) are views for describing a methodof providing information on pollution levels on a photocatalyst filteraccording to diverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), 17(c), and 17(d) are views for describing a methodof providing information on pollution levels on a photocatalyst filteraccording to diverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a view for describing a filter replacement period informingmanner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a view for describing a gas analyzing manner according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 20(a), 20(b), 20(c), and 20(d) are views for describing a methodof providing information on packing factors of photocatalyst beadsaccording to diverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 21(a) and 21(b) are views for describing a method of providinginformation on a manner of filling photocatalyst beads according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 22(a), 22(b), 22(c), 22(d), and 22(e) are views for describing amethod of providing information on packing factors of photocatalystbeads according to diverse exemplary embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 23(a), 23(b), 23(c), 23(d), and 23(e) are views for describing amethod of providing information on an operation progress situation of aphotocatalyst filter according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 24(a), 24(b), 24(c), and 24(d) are views for describing a methodof providing information on states in the respective spaces in aphotocatalyst filter according to diverse exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a view for describing a method of providing information onstates in the respective spaces in a photocatalyst filter according todiverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 26 and 27 are views for describing diverse exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure for an air conditioner and a server.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be diverselymodified. Accordingly, specific exemplary embodiments are illustrated inthe drawings and are described in detail in the detailed description.However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is notlimited to a specific exemplary embodiment, but includes allmodifications, equivalents, and substitutions without departing from thescope and spirit of the present disclosure. Also, well-known functionsor constructions are not described in detail since they would obscurethe disclosure with unnecessary detail.

The terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used to describe diversecomponents, but the components are not limited by the terms. The termsare only used to distinguish one component from the others.

The terms used in the present application are only used to describe theexemplary embodiments, but are not intended to limit the scope of thedisclosure. The singular expression also includes the plural meaning aslong as it does not differently mean in the context. In the presentapplication, the terms “include” and “consist of” designate the presenceof features, numbers, steps, operations, components, elements, or acombination thereof that are written in the specification, but do notexclude the presence or possibility of addition of one or more otherfeatures, numbers, steps, operations, components, elements, or acombination thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a “module” or a“unit” performs at least one function or operation, and may beimplemented with hardware, software, or a combination of hardware andsoftware. In addition, a plurality of “modules” or a plurality of“units” may be integrated into at least one module except for a “module”or a “unit” which has to be implemented with specific hardware, and maybe implemented with at least one processor (not shown).

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view for describing a photocatalyst filter according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a photocatalyst filter 100 includes a base 110 inwhich one or more internal spaces 1 to 9 are formed. Fluid may flowthrough the internal spaces, and photocatalyst beads 10 provided in oneor more of the internal spaces 1 to 9.

The photocatalyst filter 100 may perform an antibacterial function, anatmosphere purifying function, a deodorizing function, an antifoulingfunction, and a water purifying function using a photocatalyst material.For example, the photocatalyst filter 100 may sterilize variouspathogens and bacteria, remove harmful materials such as a nitrogenoxide (NOx), a sulfur oxide (SOx), formaldehyde, and the like, from theair, decompose odor materials such as acetaldehyde, ammonia, a hydrogensulfide, and the like, decompose harmful materials such as cigarettesmoke, oil residues, and the like, and decompose harmful organiccompounds of wastewater.

The one or more internal spaces 1 to 9 of the photocatalyst filter 100are defined by a plurality of walls within in the base 110.

FIG. 1 illustrates the photocatalyst filter 100 including internalspaces 1 to 9, each having a quadrangular shape. Internal spaces 1 to 9are each defined by four walls, and are each filled with photocatalystbeads 10.

The internal spaces 1 to 9 of the photocatalyst filter 100 may havevarious shapes, for example, the quadrangular shape as illustrated inFIG. 1, a honeycomb structure, another polygonal structure, or acircular shape. As an example, a photocatalyst filter including internalspaces having a honeycomb structure is illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, the base 110 of the photocatalyst filter 100 mayinclude a plurality of internal spaces having a honeycomb structure withsix walls, and the photocatalyst beads 10 are filled in the respectivespaces.

Referring to FIG. 1, covers having air permeability may be disposed on afront surface and a rear surface of the photocatalyst filter 100 to holdthe photocatalyst beads 10 within the internal spaces of thephotocatalyst filter 100. The covers may have a net structure. Thecovers 110 a and 110 b may be adhered and fixed to at least one of thewalls defining the internal spaces. Since adhesion between the walls andthe covers 110 a and 110 b may become weak over time, the cover 110 a,disposed on the front surface of the photocatalyst filter 100, and thecover 110 b, disposed on the rear surface of the photocatalyst filter100, may be adhered to each other such that they are in contact witheach other in regions in which the photocatalyst beads 10 are notfilled, thereby to strongly fixing the covers 110 a and 110 b.

The same kind of photocatalyst beads or different kinds of photocatalystbeads may be filled in each of the internal spaces provided in thephotocatalyst filter 100. Here, the different kinds mean thatphotocatalyst materials configuring the photocatalyst beads aredifferent from one another or shapes, sizes, and the like, of thephotocatalyst beads are different from one another. The shapes and thesizes of the photocatalyst beads may be appropriately selected dependingon a kind, a removal rate, and a removal speed of gas to be removed. Therespective internal spaces in the photocatalyst filter 100 may beconfigured to remove different gases, and may have different removalrates and removal speeds. Therefore, the kinds of photocatalyst beadsfilled in the respective internal spaces, for example, sizes, shapes,materials, and the like, of the photocatalyst beads may be differentfrom one another. That is, for example, the kinds of photocatalyst beadsfilled in the first internal space 1 and the second internal space 2 maybe different from each other. In addition, different kinds ofphotocatalyst beads may also exist within the same internal space. Inaddition, the numbers of photocatalyst beads filled in each of theinternal spaces provided in the photocatalyst filter 100 may be the sameas or different from one another.

The photocatalyst filter illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is only anexample, and may include internal spaces having various structures. Inaddition, the number of internal spaces configuring the photocatalystfilter 100 is not limited to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Inaddition, the photocatalyst filter 100 does not necessarily include theplurality of internal spaces, but may also include only a singleinternal space.

The photocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalyst filter 100 may beformed of a photocatalyst material itself or be formed of aphotocatalyst material and another additional material. For example, thephotocatalyst bead 10 may include the photocatalyst material and anadsorbent (for example, activated carbon, zeolite, sepiolite, SiO₂,clay, or the like) that may better adsorb impurities. The photocatalystbead may have a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a hexahedralshape, a porous shape, or the like, and are not limited to having aspecific shape, but may have any shape, may have a smooth surface, andmay have a protrusion formed on a surface thereof to increase a reactionsurface area. In addition, a size of the photocatalyst bead may be anaverage diameter of, for example, 0.5 to 4 mm. However, a size of thephotocatalyst bead is not limited thereto, but may be determined inconsideration of various features such as a reaction surface area, thesize of the photocatalyst filter 100, and the like. In addition, thenumbers of photocatalyst beads filled in the respective internal spacesof the photocatalyst filter 100 may be various, and may be differentfrom one another. In addition, a mass of the photocatalyst bead may be,for example, 500 to 1000 g.

The terms “photocatalyst particle,” “photocatalyst pellet,” or otherterms may be used to refer to the photocatalyst beads.

An example of the photocatalyst material configuring the photocatalystbead may include titanium oxide (TiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmiumsulfide (CdS), tungsten oxide (WO₃), vanadium oxide (V₂O₃), and thelike, but is not limited thereto.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are views for describing various forms of aphotocatalyst bead.

FIG. 3A is a view for describing a method of manufacturing photocatalystbeads that are hollow according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 3A, photocatalyst beads that are hollow and have aspherical shape may be manufactured by coating surfaces of sacrificialcores with a photocatalyst material and then calcinating internalparticles or removing the internal particles through acid/base etching,or the like.

The internal particle may be any particle that may be easily removed.For example, SiO₂, CaCO₃, polystyrene, or the like, may be used.

An example of the photocatalyst material coating the internal particlemay include titanium oxide (TiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide(CdS), tungsten oxide (WO₃), vanadium oxide (V₂O₃), and the like, but isnot limited thereto.

Since the photocatalyst beads that are hollow and have the sphericalshape as described above have a low density, when air is introduced, thephotocatalyst beads may freely move in the internal space of thephotocatalyst filter 100, and contact areas between the photocatalystbeads and the air may thus be increased.

FIG. 3B is a view for describing a method of manufacturing photocatalystbeads 10 having another form.

Referring to FIG. 3B, when sacrificial particles are mixed withphotocatalyst particles to generate intermediate particles and thesacrificial particles are removed from the intermediate particlesthrough calcination, acid/base etching, or the like, photocatalyst beadsincluding spaces, in which the sacrificial particles have been removed,to have wide surface areas may be manufactured.

A material that may be used as the sacrificial particles may be anymaterial that may be easily removed. For example, SiO₂, CaCO₃,polystyrene, or the like, may be used.

An example of a material that may be used as the photocatalyst particlesmixed with the sacrificial particles may include titanium oxide (TiO₂),zinc oxide (ZnO), cadmium sulfide (CdS), tungsten oxide (WO₃), vanadiumoxide (V₂O₃), and the like, but is not limited thereto.

Since the photocatalyst beads manufactured according to the presentmethod have an uneven surface and have a plurality of spaces therein,contact areas between the photocatalyst beads and air may be increased.When the photocatalyst beads having the increased contact areas with theair are used, a larger number of photocatalyst reactions may occur, andfilter efficiency may thus be increased. The forms described withreference to FIGS. 3A and 3B are only an example, and exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto.

In addition to the methods of manufacturing the photocatalyst beadsdescribed above, the photocatalyst beads may also be manufactured bykneading, binding, and adsorbing materials or be manufactured in auniform shape using a mold having a specific shape.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thebase 110 itself, within which the photocatalyst beads 10 areaccommodated, as well as the photocatalyst beads 10 may include aphotocatalyst material, and the covers 110 a and 110 b may also includea photocatalyst material. As an example, the base 110 itself may beformed of the photocatalyst material or a form of the base 110 may becompleted using another material and may then be coated with thephotocatalyst material. In addition, the covers 110 a and 110 bthemselves may be formed of the photocatalyst material or forms of thecovers 110 a and 110 b may be completed using another material and maythen be coated with the photocatalyst material.

The photocatalyst materials included in the photocatalyst beads 10, thebase 110, and the covers 110 a and 110 b of the photocatalyst filter 100may react to light to remove harmful gases, odor materials,microorganisms, and the like. To efficiently utilize light, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the photocatalystfilter 100 may include a component for reflecting the light. This willbe described with reference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating only the first internal space 1 ofthe plurality of internal spaces configuring the photocatalyst filter100 described with reference to FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first internal space 1 includes first to fourthwalls 11 to 14. Some or all of the first to fourth walls 11 to 14 have alight reflectivity. For example, a surface of at least one of the firstto fourth walls 11 to 14 may include a material having a high lightreflectivity, for example, a metal such as aluminum, silver, platinum,or the like, a light-reflective resin, a glass, a nano-metal, or thelike. In this case, the first to fourth walls 11 to 14 themselves may beformed of the material having the high reflectivity or a base materialof the first to fourth walls 11 to 14 may be a material of which areflectivity is not high and may be coated with the material having thehigh reflectivity. Only inner portions of the first to fourth walls 11to 14 may be formed of the material having the high reflectivity orouter portions of the first to fourth walls 11 to 14 may also be formedof the material having the high reflectivity.

Dotted lines illustrated in FIG. 4 indicate light paths, and, as shown,light may be reflected from at least one of the first to fourth walls 11to 14 and then be incident on the photocatalyst beads 10.

Although the photocatalyst filter having internal spaces withquadrangular structures is described by way of example in FIG. 4,surfaces of walls defining the internal spaces may have a lightreflectivity, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, also in thephotocatalyst filter having the internal spaces with the honeycombstructure of FIG. 2 or a photocatalyst filter having internal spaceswith another form.

In addition, at least one of the cover 110 a disposed on the frontsurface of the photocatalyst filter 100 and the cover 110 b disposed onthe rear surface of the photocatalyst filter 100 may contain a materialhaving a high reflectivity.

Since the photocatalyst filter 100 includes the component for reflectingthe light as described above, an amount of light arriving at thephotocatalyst beads 10 may be increased. That is, light efficiency maybe increased.

The component for reflecting the light may also be disposed in anotherportion of the photocatalyst filter 100. An exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure related to this will be described with reference toFIG. 5.

FIG. 5 illustrates a photocatalyst filter 100 according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and the photocatalystfilter 100 may include light reflecting structures 51 to 54 disposed atcorners of a base 110. Although a case in which the light reflectingstructures 51 to 54 are disposed in all the corners is illustrated inFIG. 5, the light reflecting structures 51 to 54 may also be disposed inonly some of the corners.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the light reflecting structures 51to 54 may be micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors of whichangles may be adjusted. Surfaces of the light reflecting structures 51to 54 may include, for example, a material having a light highreflectivity (for example, a metal such as aluminum, silver, platinum,or the like, a glass, a nano-metal, or the like).

Although a case in which the light reflecting structures are disposed inonly the corner of the photocatalyst filter 100 is illustrated in FIG.5, the light reflecting structures may also be disposed at edges of thephotocatalyst filter 100. The more the light reflecting structures, thehigher the light efficiency.

Since a photocatalyst filter 100 according to exemplary embodiments mayperform the antibacterial function, the atmosphere purifying function,the deodorizing function, the antifouling function, and the waterpurifying function using the photocatalyst material as described above,the present disclosure may be utilized in any of various fields. Forexample, the photocatalyst filter 100 may be disposed in a refrigerator,a Kimchi refrigerator, a closet, a shoe rack, a washing machine, awater-purifier tank, a sterilizer, a humidifier, a cleaner, an airconditioning device, an air conditioner, or the like, to performfunctions such as a deodorizing function, a water purifying function, asterilizing function, an air purifying function, and the like. Inaddition, the photocatalyst filter 100 may also be used in a smallproduct. For example, the photocatalyst filter 100 may be disposed in asmart phone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a smart watch, a patch, orother products (for example, gloves, a band, a necklace, a bracelet, aring, a headband, an earphone, an earring, clothing, and the like). Inaddition, the photocatalyst filter 100 may also be used in a windowframe, wallpaper, a construction, an air conditioning system, a bathroomtile, or the like. The areas, numbers, materials, and the like, ofphotocatalyst beads may be different from one another depending on thefields to which the photocatalyst filter is applied. For example, whenthe photocatalyst filters are to be disposed in a refrigerator, theareas, numbers, materials, and the like, of the photocatalyst filtersmay be different from one another depending on a kind of food stored inthe refrigerator. In addition, photocatalyst filters to be used in awashing machine may be formed of a material to which a hydrophilicmaterial may be bound, and photocatalyst filters to be used in asterilizer may be formed of a material to which a sterilizing materialmay be bound. Photocatalyst filters to be applied to a band may includean attachable material that may be simply attached, and the numbers ofphotocatalyst filters may be various depending on areas in which theyare used. Further, photocatalyst filters applied to wallpaper may beformed of a material to which a deodorizing material may be bound, andareas and the numbers of photocatalyst filters may be various.

An example in which the photocatalyst filter 100 is installed in an airconditioner, from among the various applications described above, willhereinafter be described.

FIG. 6 is a view for describing an air conditioner 1000 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 6, the air conditioner 1000 may include a body 610,providing the outer appearance of the air conditioner, an inlet 611 forsucking air from a space external to the air conditioner into the airconditioner, outlets 613 a and 613 b for discharging the sucked andpurified air, an input unit 620, and a display unit 600 for displayingan operation state of the air conditioner 1000.

The term “air conditioner” is used herein to refer to any and all typesof devices having the function of cleaning air. For example, the airconditioner 1000 may be implemented by an air purifier, an airconditioning device, a humidifier, or the like.

The input unit 620 may include buttons for inputting various controlinformation related to the air conditioner 1000, such as a power buttonfor turning on or off the air conditioner 1000, a timer button forsetting a driving time of the air conditioner 1000, a locking button forlimiting a manipulation of the input unit to prevent an erroneousmanipulation of the input unit, and the like. Here, the respective inputbuttons may be push switches or membrane switches generating inputsignals through pressurization of a user or touch switches generatinginput signals through a touch of a part of a user's body.

In the case in which the input unit 620 uses a touch switch manner, theinput unit 620 and the display unit 660 may also be implementedintegrally with each other.

The display unit 660 may display information on a state of the airconditioner 1000. For example, the display unit 660 may displayinformation on pollution levels of the photocatalyst filter 100,information on a replacement timing of the photocatalyst filter 100,information on packing factors of the photocatalyst beads in thephotocatalyst filter 100 (for example, information on the number offilled photocatalyst beads, packing factors at each point in time,whether or not the photocatalyst beads need to be filled, or the like),information on a state of the photocatalyst filter 100 (for example,information on the number of days used or a cumulative time after thephotocatalyst beads are filled), and information on activity that iscurrently in progress (for example, information on whether or not an airquality sensing process is being performed or a filtering process isbeing performed or information on a moving direction of air). Theinformation as described above may be provided for each of the pluralityof internal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100. Meanwhile, theinformation as described above may be provided through the display unit660. Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment, theinformation as described above may be provided to a user from anexternal apparatus such as a smart phone communicating with the airconditioner 1000. According to an exemplary embodiment, user interfaces(UIs) including the information as described above may be displayed onthe display unit 660 or on an external apparatus such as a smart phonecommunicating with the air conditioner 1000.

Various examples of the UIs that may be displayed on the display unit660 or the external apparatus such as the smart phone communicating withthe air conditioner 1000 will hereinafter be described.

FIG. 16 is views for describing UIs indicating pollution levels ofphotocatalyst beads. The UIs of FIG. 16 represent shapes of thephotocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalyst filter 100. According toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the photocatalystbeads may be formed of a material which changes color depending onpollution levels. An example of a chemical material which changes colordepending on gas adsorption may include chlorophenol red, bromocresolgreen, bromophenol blue, bromothymol blue, cresol red, methyl orange,methyl red, phenol red, phenolphthalein, thymol blue, m-cresol purple,an enaminone based compound, a β-diketone/amine pair based compound, andthe like.

Referring to FIGS. 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c), photocatalyst beads havingcolors which change depending on pollution levels may be displayed onthe UIs. For example, the deeper the color of the photocatalyst beads,the higher the pollution levels. In addition, information on thepollution levels for each of the internal spaces of the photocatalystfilter 100 may be provided to an UI as illustrated in (d) of FIG. 16.

FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), 17(c), and 17(d) are views for describing a methodof providing information on pollution levels of the photocatalyst filter100 in various manners. UIs may provide information for each of theinternal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100. FIG. 17 illustrates acase in which the photocatalyst filter 100 includes four internalspaces.

Referring to FIGS. 17(a), 17(b), 17(c), and 17(d), UIs in whichpollution levels of the respective internal spaces of the photocatalystfilter 100 are represented by colors may be provided. For example, thehigher the pollution levels, the deeper the colors. FIG. 17(c)represents pollution levels through facial expressions. In addition,FIG. 17(d) represents pollution levels by colors of the photocatalystbeads in the photocatalyst filter. For example, the deeper the colors ofthe photocatalyst beads, the higher the pollution levels.

Meanwhile, FIG. 17(d) may be an image obtained by actually capturing animage of the photocatalyst filter 100. For example, the photocatalystbeads may be formed of a chemical material which changes color when aharmful gas is adsorbed on a surface thereof, and a camera for capturingan image of the photocatalyst filter 100 may be disposed in the airconditioner 1000. The captured image is transmitted to a user terminal,or the like, communicating with the air conditioner 1000, such that theUI as illustrated in FIG. 17(d) may be provided on the user terminal.

FIG. 18 is a view for describing a filter replacement period informingmanner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

When a harmful gas is introduced into the air conditioner 1000, at leastone of photocatalyst filter 1 or photocatalyst filter 2 may be operateddepending on a result sensed by a sensor for sensing an air quality,disposed in the air conditioner 1000. Photocatalyst filter 1 orphotocatalyst filter 2 may be photocatalyst filters in which differentkinds of photocatalyst beads are filled to filter different kinds ofgases. For example, when the introduced gas is a gas that needs to befiltered through photocatalyst filter 1 as a sensing result, onlyphotocatalyst filter 1 may be operated. An example of allowing onlyphotocatalyst filter 1 to be operated may include a method of allowingair to be introduced into only photocatalyst filter 1 by controlling anintroduction path of the air, a method of irradiating light to onlyphotocatalyst filter 1, or the like.

As described above, the photocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalystfilter may be formed of the chemical material which changes color whenthe gas is adsorbed, and colors of the photocatalyst beads may changedepending on an adsorption concentration. For example, the higher theadsorption concentration, the deeper the colors. An apparatus such as acamera, or the like, may be disposed in the air conditioner 1000 tocapture an image of the photocatalyst filter, and the captured image maybe analyzed to decide pollution levels of the photocatalyst beads on thebasis of the colors of the photocatalyst beads and inform a user of afilter replacement period depending on the pollution levels. In thiscase, the captured image may be provided to an external apparatus suchas a smart phone. Alternatively, an external housing of the airconditioner 1000 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material,such that the user may directly observe changes in the colors of thephotocatalyst beads in the photocatalyst filter with his/her eyes.

According to an exemplary embodiment in the present disclosure, a lightsource unit 210 may reconfigure the photocatalyst beads by irradiatingultraviolet (UV) to a polluted photocatalyst filter in a state in whichthe air conditioner 1000 is not operated. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 18, the photocatalyst beads of photocatalyst filter 1 that arepolluted may be reconfigured.

FIG. 19 is a view for describing a gas analyzing manner according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 19, it may be analyzed which gas is introduced anddecomposed in a large amount through changes in colors of thephotocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalyst filter. For example,surfaces of the photocatalyst beads may be coated with a chemicalmaterial which changes color to red when it reacts to formaldehyde,changes color to green when it reacts to ammonia, and changes color toblue when it reacts to acetaldehyde. Alternatively, severalphotocatalyst beads may be configured so that they change color whenthey react to formaldehyde, and the other photocatalyst beads may beconfigured so that they change color when they react to ammonia. Thechemical material coated on the surfaces of the photocatalyst beads maybe a material that reacts differently to harmful gases depending on thekind of harmful gases. An external housing of the air conditioner 1000may be formed of a transparent or translucent material, such that theuser may directly view changes in the colors of the photocatalyst beadsin the photocatalyst filter with his/her eyes to analyze the introducedgas, or an image analysis may be performed on an image of thephotocatalyst beads captured through a camera, or the like, provided inthe air conditioner 1000 to analyze the introduced gas. An air qualitydeterioration factor in the home for a predetermined period may bedetermined through an analysis result.

FIGS. 20(a), 20(b), 20(c), and 20(d) are views for describing variousUIs providing information on packing factors of photocatalyst beads inthe photocatalyst filter 100. The UIs may be displayed on the displayunit 660 or on an external apparatus such as a smart phone.

Referring to FIGS. 20(a), 20(b), 20(c), and 20(d), the UIs informing theuser of an amount of the photocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalystfilter 100 may be provided. When FIG. 20(a) illustrates an amount ofphotocatalyst beads in the beginning, FIG. 20(b) illustrates an amountof photocatalyst beads that are added. The added photocatalyst beads mayhave a different color from that of the previously existingphotocatalyst beads, may have a size that is smaller than that of thepreviously existing photocatalyst beads, or may have a size that isdifferent than that of the previously existing photocatalyst beads,depending on pollution levels. The photocatalyst beads are manufacturedin several colors to allow the user to readily select and fillappropriate photocatalyst beads. For example, orange photocatalyst beadsmay be for removing formaldehyde, and green photocatalyst beads may befor removing acetaldehyde. A manual including information on the colorsof the photocatalyst beads may be provided together with thephotocatalyst beads at the time of purchasing the photocatalyst beads.Such a manual may be provided in an electronic data form. The user maydownload and use the manual using an apparatus such as a smart phone.For example, the manual may include information on heights to which thephotocatalyst beads should be filled in the respective internal spacesof the photocatalyst filter 100, as illustrated in FIG. 21(a), or mayinclude a guide such as “put orange beads by two spoons”, as illustratedin FIG. 21(b).

FIG. 20(c) illustrates that some of the existing photocatalyst beadshave been replaced by new photocatalyst beads. In addition, informationon the packing factors for each of the internal spaces of thephotocatalyst filter 100 may be provided to an UI as illustrated in FIG.20(d). According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,colors of the respective photocatalyst beads in each filling timing maybe configured to be different from one another to allow oldphotocatalyst beads to be distinguishable by their color. Therefore, theuser may more easily replace the old photocatalyst beads with newphotocatalyst beads.

FIGS. 22(a), 22(b), 22(c), 22(d), and 22(e) are views for describing amethod of providing information on packing factors in the respectiveinternal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100 in various manners.

Referring to FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b), UIs in which packing factors of therespective internal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100 arerepresented by colors may be provided. Referring to FIG. 22(a), it maybe appreciated which kinds of photocatalyst beads and how muchphotocatalyst beads are disposed in the respective internal spaces ofthe photocatalyst filter 100. For example, photocatalyst beads forremoving a first gas may be represented by a deep color, andphotocatalyst beads for removing a second gas may be represented by alight color. The packing factors of the photocatalyst beads may berepresented by % as illustrated in FIG. 22(b), may be represented bysizes of colors filled in figures as illustrated in FIG. 22(c), may berepresented by different colors as illustrated in FIG. 22(d), and may berepresented by the numbers of photocatalyst beads as illustrated in FIG.22(e).

FIGS. 23(a), 23(b), 23(c), 23(d), and 23(e) are views for describingvarious UIs providing information on an operation state of thephotocatalyst filter 100.

Activity regions in the respective internal spaces of the photocatalystfilter 100 may be represented by colors through a UI as illustrated inFIG. 23(a). Referring to FIG. 23(b), information on the numbers of daysthe photocatalyst beads have been used in the respective internal spacesof the photocatalyst filter 100 may be provided. Referring to FIG.23(c), information on a moving direction of air into the photocatalystfilter 100 may be provided in, for example, an arrow shape. Referring toFIG. 23(d), information on an operation progress situation of thephotocatalyst filter or an operation progress situation of the sensormay be provided. Referring to FIG. 23(e), information identifying theinternal space or spaces within which filtering is performed, a flowvelocity of the air, and the like, may be represented through ananimation in which the photocatalyst beads are blown off by passage ofair in the respective internal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100.FIGS. 24(a), 24(b), 24(c), and 24(d) are views for describing the use oflight emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed in the photocatalyst filteraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates the photocatalyst filter 100 including four internalspaces, and LEDs may be disposed in the respective internal spaces ofthe photocatalyst filter 100. The LEDs may be disposed on one surface ofeach of the respective internal spaces as illustrated in FIG. 24(a), maybe disposed on one corner of each of the respective internal spaces asillustrated in FIGS. 24(b) and 24(d), or may be disposed to surround thewalls of each of the photocatalyst filters 100 as illustrated in FIG.24(c). The LEDs disposed in the photocatalyst filter 100 as describedabove may be turned on to provide information for each internal space.For example, information on pollution levels, reproduction rates, andpacking factors of the photocatalyst beads, kinds of harmful gases, andthe like, for each internal space may be represented by the number oftimes the LEDs are turned on, the colors of the LEDs, times at which theLEDs are turned on, and the like. For example, in a case in whichreplacement of the photocatalyst beads filled in the first internalspace 1 of the photocatalyst filter 100 is required, an LED 1 a disposedin the first internal space 1 may be controlled to be flickered. In acase in which the air conditioner 1000 is transparent or translucent,the user may observe the on or off state of the LEDs to determine astate of the photocatalyst filter 100.

Accordingly to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,the LEDs are not disposed in the photocatalyst filter, and theinformation on the state of the photocatalyst filter may also beprovided to the user through a user terminal such as a smart phone.Referring to FIG. 25, the photocatalyst filter 100 does not include theLEDs, unlike FIG. 24, and the information on the photocatalyst filtermay be displayed on an external apparatus 200 communicating with the airconditioner 1000. The external apparatus 200 may communicate with theair conditioner 1000 in a communication manner such as Bluetooth, or thelike.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram for describing components included in the airconditioner 1000 described with reference to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 7, the air conditioner 1000 includes the photocatalystfilter 100, the light source unit 210, a fan unit 220, and a processor230.

A repetitive description of the photocatalyst filter 100 will beomitted.

The light source unit 210 is a component for irradiating light onto thephotocatalyst filter 100. A photocatalyst material of the photocatalystfilter 100 may react to the light irradiated from the light source unit210 to remove harmful gases, odor materials, microorganisms, and thelike.

The light source unit 210 may emit light appropriate for generating aphotocatalyst reaction in the photocatalyst material included in thephotocatalyst filter 100. For example, the light source unit 210 may beimplemented by elements such as fluorescent lamps or incandescent lampsor LEDs, and may emit light having a wavelength range such as whitelight, red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light (about 10to 400 nm), visible light (about 400 to 700 nm), infrared light (about700nm to 1mm), near infrared (NIR) light (about 0.75 to 1.4 μm),short-wave infrared (SWIR) light (about 1.4 to 3 μm), medium-waveinfrared (MWIR) light (about 3 to 8 μm), long-wave infrared (LWIR) light(8 to 15 μm), far infrared (FIR) light (about 15 to 1000 μm), and thelike.

For example, the light source unit 210 may include an opticalconcentrator (for example, a Fresnel lens, a convex lens, a concavelens, or the like), and include a color filer, and thereby, thebrightness, the illumination color, the color temperature, the lightfocusing (region), and the like, of the light source unit 210 may becontrolled by the processor 230.

The fan unit 220 is a component for allowing air within a space externalto the air conditioner to be introduced into the body 610 through theinlet 611. The air introduced through the inlet 611 passes through thephotocatalyst filter 100, such that impurities in the air are filteredthrough the photocatalyst filter 100.

The processor 230 is a component that may control the general operationof the air conditioner 1000, and may include, for example, at least onecentral processing unit (CPU) (or digital signal processor (DSP), microprocessor unit (MPU), or the like), a random access memory (RAM), a readonly memory (ROM), and a system bus. The processor 230 may beimplemented by a micro computer (MICOM), an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), or the like.

The processor 230 may control the driving of the fan unit 220 and thelight source unit 210. In addition, the processor 230 may provide thevarious UIs as described above through the display unit 660 or mayprovide the various UIs as described above to an external apparatusthrough communication with another apparatus. The air conditioner 1000may include a communication unit for the purpose of communication withanother apparatus. The communication unit may be connected to theexternal apparatus through, for example, a local area network (LAN) andan Internet network, or may be connected to the external apparatus in awireless communication manner (for example, Z-wave, 4Lo wirelesspersonal area network (WPAN), radio-frequency identification (RFID),long-term evolution (LTE) device to device (D2D), Bluetooth low energy(BLE), general packet radio service (GPRS), Weightless, ZigBee, EdgeZigBee, ANT+, near field communication (NFC), infrared data association(IrDA), digital enhanced cordless telecommunications (DECT), wirelesslocal area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, WiFi, WiFi direct, global systemfor mobile (GSM), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS),LTE, wireless broadband (WiBRO), Cellular (3/4/5G), ultrasonic wave, orthe like).

The air conditioner 1000 may provide various information to anotherapparatus through the communication unit. For example, the processor 230may transmit state information (for example, information for informingthe user of a filter replacement timing) of the air conditioner 1000 toa user terminal apparatus (for example, a smart phone, a tablet personalcomputer (PC), a smart watch, or the like), or may transmit a controlcommand for controlling another apparatus (for example, controlling awindow opening or closing apparatus to open a window or controlling arobot cleaner to perform cleaning) on the basis of a result sensed by asensor disposed in the air conditioner 1000 and sensing an air quality.

In addition, a camera for capturing an image of the photocatalyst filer100 may be disposed in the air conditioner 1000, and the processor 230may analyze the photocatalyst beads filled in the photocatalyst filter100 from an image obtained by capturing the photocatalyst beads, and mayprovide information on pollution levels of the photocatalyst beads, thetype or types of introduced gases, packing factors of the photocatalystbeads, a replacement timing of the photocatalyst beads, whether or notthe photocatalyst beads need to be reconfigured, a reconfiguration stateof the photocatalyst beads, and the like, through the display unit 660or transmit the information as described above to the external apparatussuch as the smart phone, or the like, in a communication manner such asBluetooth, or the like.

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating the airconditioner 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the air conditioner 1000 includes the light sourceunit 210, the photocatalyst filter 100, and the fan unit 220 asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 7 disposed in the body 610. Theair conditioner 1000 may further include a free filter 810 and a highefficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter 820. In addition, the airconditioner 1000 may further include a deodorizing filter (notillustrated) disposed between the free filter 810 and the HEPA filter820 and including activated carbon. The filters may be disposed in asequence as illustrated in FIG. 8 or be disposed in another sequence.Meanwhile, although a case in which one photocatalyst filter 100 existsin the air conditioner 1000 is illustrated in FIG. 8, the airconditioner 1000 may include a plurality of photocatalyst filters.

Relatively large dust particles are primarily filtered by the freefilter 810. The HEPA filter 820 is a component for filtering fine dust,or the like, that is not filtered in the free filter 810, and may beformed of, for example, glass fibers.

The light source unit 210 irradiates ultraviolet light or visible lightonto the photocatalyst filter 100. Although a case in which the lightsource unit 210 is disposed on one surface of the photocatalyst filter100 is illustrated in FIG. 8, the light source unit 210 is notnecessarily limited to being disposed in such a form, but may also beprovided on each of opposite surfaces of the photocatalyst filter 100,respectively. In addition, the light source unit 210 is not necessarilydisposed to face the photocatalyst filter 100, but may be disposed atany position appropriate for irradiating light onto the photocatalystfilter 100.

Although a case in which the light source unit 210 is a lamp isillustrated in FIG. 8, the light source unit 210 may also be implementedby a chip in which a plurality of light emitting elements are disposedon a substrate as illustrated in FIG. 9, according to another exemplaryembodiment.

The light source unit 210 may include a plurality of light emittingelements, and the number of light emitting elements may be determineddepending on an amount of light required by the photocatalyst filter100. For example, the light source unit 210 may have light emittingelements in a number corresponding to the number of internal spacesconfiguring the photocatalyst filter 100. In this case, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 10, the plurality of light emitting elements 211 to219 included in the light source unit 210 may be disposed at positionscorresponding to the positions of the plurality of internal spaces 1 to9 included in the photocatalyst filter 100. The plurality of lightemitting elements 211 to 219 may be attached to, for example, the covers110 a and 110 b of the photocatalyst filter 100. Alternatively, theplurality of light emitting elements may be disposed on a separatesubstrate, and the separate substrate may be disposed to face thephotocatalyst filter 100. However, the number of light emitting elementsof the light source unit 210 does not need to coincide with the numberof internal spaces configuring the photocatalyst filter 100 asillustrated in FIG. 10, but may be different from the number of internalspaces. For example, the light source unit 210 may include only onelight emitting element, and one light emitting element may be disposedto irradiate light onto the photocatalyst filter 100. Even in the casein which the light source unit 210 includes only one light emittingelement, the light may be uniformly provided to each of the respectiveinternal spaces of the photocatalyst filter 100 using, for example, thelight reflecting structures 51 to 54 as described above with referenceto FIG. 5.

Meanwhile, according to an exemplary embodiment, the light source unit210 may be moved and rotated within the air conditioner 1000, and mayappropriately provide the light at required places while being moved androtated.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the airconditioner 1000 may further include a sensor (not illustrated) formeasuring an air quality. The sensor may be disposed adjacent to theinlet 611 through which the air is introduced.

The sensor may measure a kind, a concentration, and the like, ofmaterial included in the air. For example, the sensor may be a gassensor. As the gas sensor, a semiconductor type gas sensor, a catalyticcombustion method gas sensor, an electrochemical gas sensor, an opticalgas sensor, a color conversion gas sensor, or the like, may be useddepending on a measurement principle. An semiconductor type gas sensorsenses a gas by a change in a resistance of a metal oxide depending on areaction to the gas. An electrochemical gas sensor senses a gas by achange in electromotive force between reaction and reference electrodesby a reaction to the gas. A catalytic combustion method gas sensorsenses a gas by a change in a resistance of a hot wire by a heatgeneration reaction to a combustible gas. An optical gas sensor senses agas by a change in an infrared absorbance by the gas. A color conversiongas sensor is a sensor including an indication dye which changes colorthrough a reaction to a target material to be measured, and maydetermine a material through a color change.

In addition, the sensor may include, for example, a dust sensor. Thedust sensor is operated in a principle that an infrared ray irradiatedfrom an LED is scattered by dust when dust, introduced from the outside,passes through a measurement region, and the scattered infrared ray issensed by an infrared detector. In addition, the air conditioner 1000may further include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and thelike, as well as the sensor for sensing the air quality described above.

The processor 230 may determine the air quality on the basis of a resultsensed by the sensor, and may control a moving path of the air dependingon the determined air quality, and control the fan unit 220 and thelight source unit 210.

The processor 230 may determine that the air quality is any one of, forexample, four steps (very good, good, bad, and very bad) on the basis ofthe result sensed by the sensor. In addition, the processor 230 maycontrol the moving path of the air depending on the determined airquality. An exemplary embodiment for a control of the moving path of theair will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which additional photocatalystfilters 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c as well as the photocatalyst filter 100described above are included in the air conditioner 1000. Hereinafter,for convenience of explanation, reference number 100 denotes a firstphotocatalyst filter, reference numeral 100 a denotes a secondphotocatalyst filter, reference numeral 100 b denotes a thirdphotocatalyst filter, and reference numeral 100 c denotes a fourthphotocatalyst filter.

When it is decided that air {circle around (1)} of which an air qualityis determined to be very good on the basis of the result sensed by thesensor is introduced, the processor 230 may control a channel of the airso that the air passes through only the first photocatalyst filter 100;when it is decided that air {circle around (2)} of which an air qualityis determined to be good on the basis of the result sensed by the sensoris introduced, the processor 230 may control a channel of the air sothat the air passes through the first photocatalyst filter 100 and thesecond photocatalyst filter 100 a; when it is decided that air {circlearound (3)} of which an air quality is determined to be bad on the basisof the result sensed by the sensor is introduced, the processor 230 maycontrol a channel of the air so that the air passes through the firstphotocatalyst filter 100, the second photocatalyst filter 100 a, and thethird photocatalyst filter 100 b; and when it is decided that air{circle around (4)} of which an air quality is determined to be very badon the basis of the result sensed by the sensor is introduced, theprocessor 230 may control a channel of the air so that the air passesthrough the first photocatalyst filter 100, the second photocatalystfilter 100 a, the third photocatalyst filter 100 b, and the fourthphotocatalyst filter 100 c.

According to the manner as described above, air of which an air qualityis bad passes through a large number of photocatalyst filters, such thata removal rate of harmful materials may be increased. In addition, airof which an air quality is not bad passes through only some of thephotocatalyst filters, such that a filtering speed may be increased. Inthis case, the others of the photocatalyst filters are not used, suchthat lifespans of the others of the photocatalyst filters may beincreased.

Although the channels of the air are simply illustrated by arrows inFIG. 11, when describing an example of a method of controlling thechannels of the air in detail, air channel blocking apparatuses (notillustrated) may be disposed between adjacent ones of the plurality ofphotocatalyst filters 100, 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c and the processor 230may control the air channel blocking apparatuses to be opened or closed.For example, when it is decided that the air of {circle around (1)}which the air quality is determined to be very good is introduced, theprocessor 230 may close an air channel blocking apparatus disposedbetween the first photocatalyst filter 100 and the second photocatalystfilter 100 a to prevent the air from being moved to the secondphotocatalyst filter 100 a, and when it is decided that the air {circlearound (2)} of which the air quality is determined to be good isintroduced, the processor 230 may open the air channel blockingapparatus disposed between the first photocatalyst filter 100 and thesecond photocatalyst filter 100 a and close an air channel blockingapparatus disposed between the second photocatalyst filter 100 a and thethird photocatalyst filter 100 b to prevent the air from being moved tothe third photocatalyst filter 100 b.

Although the processor 230 may control a flow of the air by physicalcomponents such as the channel blocking apparatuses as described above,the processor 230 may also control a flow of the air by controllingdriving of the fan unit 220, according to another exemplary embodiment.

Although a case in which each of the plurality of photocatalyst filtersincludes the same kind of photocatalyst beads 10 is illustrated in FIG.11, each of the plurality of photocatalyst filters may include differentkinds of photocatalyst beads, according to another exemplary embodimentof the present disclosure. This will be described with reference toFIGS. 12A to 12C.

In an exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12A,channels of air may be controlled depending on an air quality, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 11. However, unlike thedescription with reference to FIG. 11, sizes of photocatalyst beads 10included in the plurality of photocatalyst filters 100, 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c become gradually smaller. As the sizes of the photocatalystbeads 10 become smaller, contact areas between the photocatalyst beadsand the air are increased, such that filtering performance is increased.According to the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG.12A, as the air quality becomes worse, the number of photocatalystfilters through which the air should pass is increased, and the airshould pass through smaller photocatalyst beads, such that the air ofwhich the air quality is bad may be more effectively purified.

In an exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12B,channels of air may be controlled depending on an air quality, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 11. However, unlike thedescription with reference to FIG. 11, forms of photocatalyst beads 10included in the plurality of photocatalyst filters 100, 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c are different from one another. Contact areas between thephotocatalyst beads and the air become larger in a sequence of the firstphotocatalyst filter 100, the second photocatalyst filter 100 a, thethird photocatalyst filter 100 b, and the fourth photocatalyst filter100 c.

In the exemplary embodiment described with reference to FIG. 12C,channels of air may be controlled depending on an air quality, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 11. However, unlike thedescription with reference to FIG. 11, materials configuring thephotocatalyst beads included in the plurality of photocatalyst filters100, 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c are different from one another. Forexample, photocatalyst beads 10 a included in the first photocatalystfilter 100, photocatalyst beads 10 b included in the secondphotocatalyst filter 100 a, photocatalyst beads 10 c included in thethird photocatalyst filter 100 b, and photocatalyst beads 10 d includedin the fourth photocatalyst filter 100 c are different in photocatalystmaterials from one another or are different in materials (for example,adsorbents) additionally included in the photocatalyst materials fromone another.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, thesame effects as those of the exemplary embodiments described above withreference to FIGS. 11 to 12C may be obtained by a method of activatingor inactivating each of the plurality of photocatalyst filters insteadof the manner of controlling the flow of the air as described above. Aphrase “activating the photocatalyst filter” means that light isirradiated onto the photocatalyst filter to out the photocatalyst filterinto a state in which a photocatalytic reaction may occur, while aphrase “deactivating the photocatalyst filter” means that light is notirradiated onto the photocatalyst filter, such that no photocatalyticreaction will occur. The present exemplary embodiment will hereinafterbe described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13D.

In detail, when it is decided that air {circle around (1)} of which anair quality is determined to be very good is introduced, the processor230 may control the light source unit 210 to irradiate light onto thefirst photocatalyst filter 100 as illustrated in FIG. 13A; when it isdecided that air {circle around (2)} of which an air quality isdetermined to be good is introduced, the processor 230 may control thelight source unit 210 to irradiate light onto the first photocatalystfilter 100 and onto the second photocatalyst filter 100 a as illustratedin FIG. 13B; when it is decided that air of which an air quality isdetermined to be bad is introduced, the processor 230 may control thelight source unit 210 to irradiate light onto the first photocatalystfilter 100, onto the second photocatalyst filter 100 a, and onto thethird photocatalyst filter 100 b as illustrated in FIG. 13C; and when itis decided that air {circle around (4)} of which an air quality isdetermined to be very bad is introduced, the processor 230 may controlthe light source unit 210 to irradiate light onto the firstphotocatalyst filter 100, onto the second photocatalyst filter 100 a,onto the third photocatalyst filter 100 b, and onto the fourthphotocatalyst filter 100 c as illustrated in FIG. 13D.

In this case, according to an exemplary embodiment, the light sourceunit 210 may include a first light source dedicated to the firstphotocatalyst filter 100, a second light source dedicated to the secondphotocatalyst filter 100 a, a third light source dedicated to the thirdphotocatalyst filter 100 b, and a fourth light source dedicated to thefourth photocatalyst filter 100 c, and the processor 230 mayindividually turn on or turn off the first to fourth light sources toindividually activate or inactivate the first to fourth photocatalystfilters 100, 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c. According to another exemplaryembodiment, instead of providing dedicated light source units to thefirst to fourth photocatalyst filters 100, 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c,respectively, a direction of light emitted from one light source unitmay be controlled by changing angles of, for example, the MEMS mirrors.

According to the exemplary embodiment described above with reference toFIGS. 13A to 13D, there is an advantage that a separate component forcontrolling the channels of the air is not required. Only some of thephotocatalyst filters are activated and photocatalyst reactions do notoccur in the others of the photocatalyst filters with respect to the airof which the air quality is not bad, such that lifespans of the othersof the photocatalyst filters may be increased, and a larger number ofphotocatalyst filters are activated with respect to the air of which theair quality is bad, such that a removal rate of harmful materials may beincreased.

Also in the exemplary embodiment described above with reference to FIGS.13A to 13D, various kinds of photocatalyst beads may be used asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,photocatalyst filters may also be disposed in a manner different fromthe manners described above with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13D. This willbe described with reference to FIG. 14.

Referring to FIG. 14, when it is decided that air {circle around (1)} ofwhich an air quality is determined to be very good is introduced, theprocessor 230 may control the fan unit 220 so that the air is introducedin a direction in which it passes through only the first photocatalystfilter 100; when it is decided that air {circle around (2)} of which anair quality is determined to be good is introduced, the processor 230may control the fan unit 220 so that the air is introduced in adirection in which it passes through the first photocatalyst filter 100and through the second photocatalyst filter 100 a; when it is decidedthat air {circle around (3)} of which an air quality is determined to bebad is introduced, the processor 230 may control the fan unit 220 sothat the air is introduced in a direction in which it passes through thefirst photocatalyst filter 100, through the second photocatalyst filter100 a, and through the third photocatalyst filter 100 b; and when it isdecided that air {circle around (4)} of which an air quality isdetermined to be very bad is introduced, the processor 230 may controlthe fan unit 220 so that the air is introduced in a direction in whichit passes through the first photocatalyst filter 100, through the secondphotocatalyst filter 100 a, through the third photocatalyst filter 100b, and through the fourth photocatalyst filter 100 c.

Although a case in which the air quality is divided into the four stepsis described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, this is only an example,and the air quality may be divided into various steps such as two steps,three steps, five steps, and the like. In addition, although a case inwhich four photocatalyst filters are used is described with reference toFIGS. 11 to 14, this is only an example, and the number of photocatalystfilters that may be used is not limited. Only one single photocatalystfilter may also be used. In the case in which only one singlephotocatalyst filter is used, the processor 230 may control the lightsource unit 210 to increase an amount of light as the air qualitybecomes bad on the basis of the result sensed by the sensor.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theair conditioner 1000 may include a plurality of photocatalyst filters,and the fan unit 220 may include a plurality of fans each correspondingto one of the plurality of photocatalyst filters. This will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C.

FIG. 15A is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an airconditioner 1000 according to another exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the air conditioner 1000 includes a firstphotocatalyst filter 100 and a second photocatalyst filter 100 a, andthe fan unit 220 includes a first fan 221 disposed at a positioncorresponding to the position of the first photocatalyst filter 100 anda second fan 222 disposed at a position corresponding to the position ofthe second photocatalyst filter 100 a. In addition, the air conditioner1000 may include a sensor 830 sensing harmful materials.

Photocatalyst beads included in the first photocatalyst filter 100 andphotocatalyst beads included in the second photocatalyst filter 100 amay be different from each other in at least one of sizes, shapes, andcomponents.

The first fan 221 introduces air into the first photocatalyst filter100, and the second fan 222 introduces air into the second photocatalystfilter 100 a.

The processor 230 may individually control driving of the first fan 221and the second fan 222 depending on a result sensed by the sensor 830.

For example, in a case in which the processor 230 drives only the firstfan 221 of the first fan 221 and the second fan 222, air may passthrough only a place in which the first photocatalyst filter 100 isdisposed, as illustrated in FIG. 15B. Alternatively, in a case in whichthe processor 230 drives only the second fan 222 of the first fan 221and the second fan 222, air may pass through only a place in which thesecond photocatalyst filter 100 a is disposed, as illustrated in FIG.15C.

For example, it may be good to use the first photocatalyst filter 100when an air quality is very bad, but the first photocatalyst filter 100has a slow filtering speed, and the second photocatalyst filter 100 ahas a filtering speed faster than that of the first photocatalyst filter100, but has filtering performance worse than that of the firstphotocatalyst filter 100. In this case, when the air quality is not verybad, it would be preferable to use only the second photocatalyst filter100 a to increase a lifespan of the first photocatalyst filter 100.There is a case in which it would be preferable to use only any one ofthe first photocatalyst filter 100 and the second photocatalyst filter100 a.

Therefore, the processor 230 may individually control the driving of thefirst fan 221 and the second fan 222 on the basis of the result sensedby the sensor 830 to allow the air to pass through only the firstphotocatalyst filter 100 in a specific situation and allow the air topass through only the second photocatalyst filter 100 a in anothersituation. The processor 230 may simultaneously drive the first fan 221and the second fan 222 to allow the air to pass through both of thefirst photocatalyst filter 100 and the second photocatalyst filter 100a.

A manner of individually driving the first fan 221 and the second fan222 to allow only the first photocatalyst filter 100 to be used or allowonly the second photocatalyst filter 100 a to be used as in theexemplary embodiment described above may be used, but the same effectmay be obtained by controlling the light source unit 210.

In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 15A, the light source unit 210 mayinclude a first light source 211 and a second light source 212. Theprocessor 230 may individually control the first light source 211 andthe second light source 212 on the basis of the result sensed by thesensor 830.

Even in a situation in which the air passes through both of the firstphotocatalyst filter 100 and the second photocatalyst filter 100 a, in acase in which the processor 230 turns on only the first light source 211of the first light source 211 and the second light source 212, light ofthe first light source 211 arrives at the second photocatalyst filter100 a to some degree, but only the first photocatalyst filter 100 ismainly activated, such that an effect of using only the firstphotocatalyst filter 100 of the first photocatalyst filter 100 and thesecond photocatalyst filter 100 a may be obtained. Likewise, in a casein which the processor 230 turns on only the second light source 212 ofthe first light source 211 and the second light source 212, light of thesecond light source 212 arrives at the first photocatalyst filter 100 tosome degree, but only the second photocatalyst filter 100 a is mainlyactivated, such that an effect of using only the second photocatalystfilter 100 a of the first photocatalyst filter 100 and the secondphotocatalyst filter 100 a may be obtained. The processor 230 maysimultaneously turn on the first light source 211 and the second lightsource 212 to activate both of the first photocatalyst filter 100 andthe second photocatalyst filter 100 a.

Although a case in which the number of light sources corresponds to thenumber of photocatalyst filters is illustrated in FIG. 15A, the lightsource unit 210 may include one light source, and a direction of lightemitted from one light source may be adjusted by using, for example, theMEMS mirrors, or the like. Although a case in which the number of thephotocatalyst filters and the number of the fans are two is illustratedin FIG. 15A, the numbers of the photocatalyst filters and the fans arenot limited thereto, but may be various numbers.

According to the diverse exemplary embodiments described above, lightefficiency in the photocatalyst filters may be increased, and thechannels of the air may be controlled or the photocatalyst filters maybe selectively used depending on the air quality, such that filteringefficiency may be increased.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, theair conditioner 1000 may transmit information on several operationsperformed in the air conditioners 1000 to a server, and the server maytransmit control information for automatically controlling the airconditioner 1000 to the air conditioner 1000 or may transmit managinginformation related to air purification to the user terminal apparatusoutside the air conditioner 1000, on the basis of the receivedinformation on the several operations. The air conditioner 1000receiving the control information may perform an operation correspondingto the control information, and the user terminal apparatus receivingthe managing information may output information corresponding to themanaging information. The present exemplary embodiment will hereinafterbe described with reference to FIGS. 26 and 27.

FIG. 26 is a view for describing a managing manner based on operationinformation of an air conditioner 1000 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 26, a server 300 may be implemented by a cloud server,an Internet hub apparatus, a gateway apparatus, or the like, using cloudcomputing technology, and a user terminal apparatus 400 may beimplemented by an electronic apparatus such as a smart phone, atelevision (TV), a tablet PC, or the like.

The air conditioner 1000 and the server 300, the server 300 and the userterminal apparatus 400, and the user terminal apparatus 400 and the airconditioner 1000 may communicate with each other through, for example, alocal area network (LAN) and an Internet network, or may communicatewith each other in a wireless communication manner (for example, Z-wave,4LoWPAN, RFID, LTE D2D, BLE, GPRS, Weightless, ZigBee, Edge ZigBee,ANT+, NFC, IrDA, DECT, WLAN, Bluetooth, WiFi, WiFi direct, GSM, UMTS,LTE, WiBRO, Cellular (3/4/5G), ultrasonic wave, or the like).

The air conditioner 1000 may perform an operation associated with airconditioning (S2600), and transmit information on the operation to theserver 300 (S2610). As an example, the air conditioner 1000 may performan operation of sensing an air quality through a sensor provided in theair conditioner 1000, and transmit sensed information to the server 300.As another example, the air conditioner 1000 may transmit information ona purifying operation performed in the air conditioner 1000 (forexample, information on whether or not a fine dust purifying mode isperformed, whether or not a deodorizing mode is performed, whichphotocatalyst filter is operated, or the like) to the server 300.

The server 300 may analyze the information on the operation receivedfrom the air conditioner 1000 (S2620), transmit managing information tothe user terminal apparatus 400 (S2630), and the user terminal apparatus400 may output the managing information (S2635).

Alternatively, the server 300 may receive the information on theoperation from the air conditioner 1000 and analyze the information(S2620), and transmit control information for automatically controllingthe air conditioner to the air conditioner (S2640), and the airconditioner 1000 may perform an operation corresponding to the receivedcontrol information (S2645).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the server 300 may providemanaging information appropriate for managing a current air quality tothe user terminal apparatus 400 on the basis of the sensed informationreceived from the air conditioner 1000. As an example, when it isdecided that a concentration of carbon dioxide is increased to apredetermined amount or more on the basis of the sensed informationreceived from the air conditioner 1000, the server 300 may transmitmanaging information related to the increased concentration of carbondioxide to the user terminal apparatus 400, and the user terminalapparatus 400 may output a text “A concentration of carbon dioxide inthe interior is high. Open windows to ventilate a room.” through adisplay. Alternatively, the server 300 may transmit control information,for allowing an operation for removing carbon dioxide to be performed,to the air conditioner 1000, and the air conditioner 1000 may beautomatically switched into an operation mode for removing the carbondioxide on the basis of the control information. Alternatively, the userterminal apparatus 400 may output a UI screen inquiring whether or notto operate the air conditioner in a carbon dioxide removing mode on thebasis of the managing information received from the server 300, and theuser terminal apparatus 400 may transmit control signal for acorresponding control to the air conditioner 1000 when user's agreementis input on the UI screen.

As another example, the server 300 may accumulate the sensed informationreceived from the air conditioner 1000, figure out air qualitycharacteristics of a space in which the air conditioner 1000 is disposedon the basis of the accumulated sensed information, and providecustomized managing information on the basis of the air qualitycharacteristics. For example, the server 300 may decide air qualities ofthe space in which the air conditioner 1000 is disposed, in each timezone, on the basis of the sensed information received from the airconditioner 1000 for a predetermined period. In addition, the server 300may provide managing information in each time zone to the user terminalapparatus 400. For example, when a tendency toward an increase in apollution level between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is analyzed from the sensedinformation provided from the air conditioner 1000, the server 300 mayprovide managing information corresponding to such an analysis to theuser terminal apparatus 400, and the user terminal apparatus 400 mayoutput a guide text such as “a pollution level is high between 2 p.m.and 4 p.m.” through a display. Such a guide text may be provided in acorresponding time or be provided in advance. Alternatively, the server300 may transmit control information for allowing the air conditioner1000 to perform an air purifying operation between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. tothe air conditioner 1000, and the air conditioner 1000 may automaticallyperform the air purifying operation between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on thebasis of the control information.

As another example, the server 300 may accumulate purifying operationinformation received from the air conditioner 1000, and determine a usepattern of the air conditioner 1000 of the user on the basis of theaccumulated information. For example, a predetermined use pattern of theuser operating the air conditioner 1000 in a deodorizing mode between 8p.m. and 9 p.m. is analyzed as an analysis result of the server 300, theserver 300 may transmit control information, for allowing the airconditioner 1000 to be automatically operated in the deodorizing modebetween 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., to the air conditioner 1000.

Although a case in which the server 300 is connected to one airconditioner is described in FIG. 26, the server 300 may also beconnected to several air conditioners. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 27, the server 300 may be connected to air conditioners 1000-1,1000-2, and 1000-3 installed in each room. In addition, the server 300may transmit control information for controlling each of the airconditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 to each of the air conditioners1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 on the basis of operation informationreceived from the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3.Alternatively, the server 300 may provide synthetic managing informationto the user terminal apparatus 400 on the basis of the operationinformation received from the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and1000-3.

For example, when a tendency toward an increase in a pollution levelbetween 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is observed in the air conditioner 1000-1disposed in a first room on the basis of the operation informationreceived from the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3, theserver 300 may transmit managing information on such a tendency to theuser terminal apparatus 400, and the user terminal apparatus 400 mayoutput a text such as “a pollution level is high in ROOM 1 between 2p.m. and 4 p.m.” as illustrated in FIG. 27.

Alternatively, the server 300 may synthesize the operation informationreceived from the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 andprovide the synthesized information to the user terminal apparatus 400,and the user terminal apparatus 400 may confirm a current state of eachof the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3.

As another example, when the server 300 synthesizes sensed informationreceived from the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 to decidethat an air quality is a predetermined pollution level or less, theserver 300 may transmit control information for operating only any oneof the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 and turning off theothers of the air conditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 to the airconditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3. Therefore, power consumptionmay be reduced.

The server 300 may also be connected to other home appliances that mayperform communication in the home as well as the air conditioners. As anexample, the server 300 may be connected to a robot cleaner, and maytransmit control information for allowing the air conditioners 1000-1,1000-2, and 1000-3 to perform an air cleaning operation to the airconditioners 1000-1, 1000-2, and 1000-3 since generation of dust isexpected when it is sensed that the robot cleaner is operated. Asanother example, the server 300 may be connected to a cooktop disposedin a space in which a first air conditioner 1000-1 is disposed, and maytransmit control information for allowing the first air conditioner1000-1 to be operated in a deodorizing mode to the first air conditioner1000-1 when it is sensed that cooking is performed in the cooktop.

In addition to the examples described above, the server 300 may providevarious information to the user on the basis of the information providedfrom the air conditioners. In addition, although a case in which theserver 300 is disposed in one home is described with reference to FIG.27, the server 300 may be a synthetic server managing air conditionersof several homes, according to another exemplary embodiment. In thiscase, the server 300 may collect operation information from the airconditioners in the several homes to build up big data, and may providemore appropriate managing information or control information on thebasis of the big data.

According to the exemplary embodiments described above, information onuse patterns of the user using the air conditioner 1000 and operationhistories of the air conditioner 1000 may be collected, and the airquality may be appropriately managed on the basis of the collectedinformation.

Computer instructions for performing processing operations in the airconditioner 1000, the server 300, or the user terminal apparatus 400 maybe stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computerinstructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium allowa specific device to perform the processing operations according to thediverse exemplary embodiments described above when they are executed bya processor of the specific device.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium is not a medium that storesdata therein for a while, such as a register, a cache, a memory, or thelike, but means a medium that semi-permanently stores data therein andis readable by a device. A specific example of the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium may include a compact disk (CD), a digitalversatile disk (DVD), a hard disk, a Blu-ray disk, a universal serialbus (USB), a memory card, a read only memory (ROM), or the like.

Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have beenillustrated and described hereinabove, the present disclosure is notlimited to the abovementioned specific exemplary embodiments, but may bevariously modified by those skilled in the art to which the presentdisclosure pertains without departing from the gist of the presentdisclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims. These modificationsshould also be understood to fall within the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A photocatalyst filter comprising: a basecomprising an internal space which is permeable to a fluid; and aplurality of photocatalyst beads provided within the internal space,wherein a surface of the internal space is reflective.
 2. Thephotocatalyst filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base furthercomprises a plurality of reflective walls defining the internal space.3. The photocatalyst filter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pluralityof walls are formed of a reflective material.
 4. The photocatalystfilter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reflective material is one ofa metal and a light-reflective resin.
 5. The photocatalyst filter asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of photocatalyst beadscomprise a photocatalyst material and an adsorbent.
 6. The photocatalystfilter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adsorbent is at least one ofactivated carbon and zeolite.
 7. The photocatalyst filter as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the plurality of photocatalyst beads have sphericalshapes that are hollow.
 8. The photocatalyst filter as claimed in claim1, wherein the plurality of photocatalyst beads have protrusions formedon surfaces thereof.
 9. The photocatalyst filter as claimed in claim 1,further comprising a cover attached to the base, wherein the coverretains the photocatalyst beads within the internal space, wherein thecover includes a photocatalyst material.
 10. An air conditionercomprising: a photocatalyst filter comprising a base comprising aninternal space through which is permeable to a fluid and a plurality ofphotocatalyst beads provided within the internal space, wherein asurface of the internal space is reflective; a fan unit configured tointroduce air into the photocatalyst filter; a light source unitconfigured to irradiate light onto the photocatalyst filter; and aprocessor configured to control the fan unit and the light source unit.11. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 10, wherein thephotocatalyst filter comprises a first photocatalyst filter and a secondphotocatalyst filter, wherein the fan unit comprises: a first fanconfigured to introduce air into the first photocatalyst filter; and asecond fan configured to introduce air into the second photocatalystfilter.
 12. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 11, wherein thefirst photocatalyst filter comprises first photocatalyst beads and thesecond photocatalyst filter comprises second photocatalyst beads, andwherein at least one of sizes, shapes, and components of the firstphotocatalyst beads are different from a corresponding at least one ofsizes, shapes, and components of the second photocatalyst beads.
 13. Theair conditioner as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a sensorconfigured to sense a harmful material, wherein the processor isconfigured to individually control the first fan and the second fandepending on a result sensed by the sensor.
 14. The air conditioner asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the photocatalyst filter comprises a firstphotocatalyst filter and a second photocatalyst filter, wherein thelight source unit comprises: a first light source configured toirradiate light onto the first photocatalyst filter; and a second lightsource configured to irradiate light onto the second photocatalystfilter.
 15. The air conditioner as claimed in claim 14, furthercomprising a sensor configured to sense a harmful material, wherein theprocessor is configured to individually control the first light sourceand the second light source depending on a result sensed by the sensor.16. A photocatalyst filter comprising: at least one base definingtherein a plurality of internal spaces; a plurality of photocatalystbeads disposed within each of the plurality of internal spaces; acontroller configured to control the photocatalyst filter to operate ina first state in which the plurality of photocatalyst beads within onlya single one of the plurality of internal spaces filters air passingtherethrough and a second state in which the plurality of photocatalystbeads within at least two of the plurality of internal spaces filtersair passing therethrough.